Embark on an epic Lord of the Rings Holiday Across New Zealand’s North Island
From rafting down the River Anduin, to strolling through picturesque Rivendell. Enjoy an in-depth tour of Hobbiton, explore Weta Cave, and spot the famous Mount Doom. We guarantee a once-in-a-lifetime experience like no other. We will guide you to the spots you want to see and many more you did not know about! Like the Putangirua Pinnacles, which provided the perfect backdrop for the Dimholt Road (aka The Paths to the Dead), featuring in The Lord of the Rings – The Return of the King. Feel like a true hobbit on this 8-Day North Island Lord of the Rings tour package in Middle-Earth!
This tour is optimally enjoyed with a private guide, but we also provide comprehensive route notes, complete with GPS coordinates, for these iconic filming locations. This allows you the freedom to explore them at your own pace on a self-drive tour if you prefer. Rest assured, all our offerings are fully customisable and tailored to meet your specific preferences. Feel free to ask us to modify this itinerary to create the journey of your dreams
Customise Your Lord of the Rings Tour
These activities are just a taste of what’s possible! We specialize in crafting unique Lord of the Rings holidays tailored to your interests and preferences. If you have specific activities or destinations in mind for your Lord of The Rings North Island tour, let us know, and we’ll craft a personalised itinerary just for you. Every Lord of the Rings holiday is one of a kind, and we’re here to make yours truly unforgettable. Dream big – your adventure is waiting.
8-day journey exploring iconic Lord of the Rings destinations across New Zealand's North Island.
DAY 1
Auckland Arrival + Weta Unleashed
DAY 2
Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton
DAY 3
Rotorua
DAY 4
Rotorua to River Valley Lodge
DAY 5
River Valley Lodge Rafting
DAY 6
River Valley Lodge to Wellington via Putangirua Pinnacles & Martinborough
DAY 7
Wellington Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour
DAY 8
Wellington Departure Day
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 1
Auckland Arrival + Weta Unleashed
YOUR DAY
Guided: Upon arrival at Auckland Airport, a shuttle driver will be waiting for you as you clear customs. This driver will take you to your accommodation in the city. The day and night are free to spend at your leisure and your guide will meet you tomorrow morning.
Self Drive: Upon arrival at Auckland Airport you will collect your rental vehicle within the airport terminal. Make your way to your inner city accommodation where the day and night are free to spend at your leisure and prepare for the adventure ahead.
This afternoon you will visit Weta for a wildly immersive experience that journeys you through our wacky world of moviemaking. this 90-minute hosted tour is centred on three fully developed and original film concepts: a nail-biting horror, a fantasy epic and a mind-bending sci-fi.
Today you farewell the ‘City of Sails’ and head south to Rotorua; a hot spot for Māori culture and geothermal activity.
En route you will visit Hobbiton and The Shire’s Rest, the only remaining film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. You’ll also enjoy a buffet style feast in the festive marquee next to the Green Dragon!
Arrive in Rotorua in the late afternoon and perhaps explore Kuirau Park mud pool reserve and view the stunning government gardens and lakefront.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that will be visited today:
Your first stop for the day is Waimangu Volcanic Valley – a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will see the world’s largest hot spring, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours. You’ll also enjoy a cruise above the once famous Pink and White Terraces, buried by the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886.
This afternoon is free for leisure activities. Options include: Rotorua Gondola and Luge, zorbing, a trip to The Buried Village of Te Wairoa, a native bush walk to the beautiful Okere Falls, or a visit to the spectacular Redwoods Treewalk! (all activities listed are optional – extra cost).
Tonight you will enjoy a twilight kayak glowworm tour which will lead you along the shorelines of a beautiful lake during sunset/dusk en route to a small cavern home to a constellation of glow worms. Once it becomes dark you enter the cavern to be surrounded by a galaxy of glow worms. On your paddle home you will be guided to a series of another 3 small cave locations (weather dependent) before gazing at the stars if the sky as clear and making your way back to the beach you started from.
Heading south and stopping at the mighty Huka Falls en route, you will reach Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake. You will wind your way south along Lake Taupō to the beautiful River Valley via the Tongariro National Park.
Arrive in Tongariro National Park, where you may wish to enjoy a scenic hike. The Tongariro Natinal Park features the mighty Mount Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe) and many other LOTR filming locations. One of The Road Trip’s favourite hikes is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls. In clear weather there is a great opportunity to spot 3 of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaurauhoe (Mount Doom).
There will be plenty of time to explore LOTR filming locations today before continuing on to River Valley Loge, deep in the wilderness of the central North Island, on the banks of the Rangitikei River, which was one of four rivers used to portray River Anduin in The Lord of the Rings. Enjoy a complimentary dinner at the lodge tonight.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that can be visited today:
Today you will be taken on a full day scenic rafting trip down the Rangitikei River (grade 3 maximum rapids) which will see you drifting through dramatic landscapes which portrayed the stunning “River Anduin.” in the Lord of the Rings. This is not specifically a Lord of the Rings tour but is on the same river which filming was undertaken on and the scenery is breath-taking! This evening you will be staying overnight at River Valley Lodge. Enjoy a complimentary dinner at the lodge tonight.
If rafting isn’t your thing, you can instead explore River Valley by e-bike or horseback! We can provide several options.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that will be visited today:
River Anduin (Rangitikei River – one of several rivers used for filming)
River Valley Lodge to Wellington via Putangirua Pinnacles & Martinborough
YOUR DAY
307km, 4 hours 10 minutes driving
You will leave River Valley Lodge and head for Taihape – The gumboot throwing capital of the world! Give gumboot throwing a go at their specially designed gumboot throwing lane! Further down the road you will enjoy the picturesque drive through Martinborough and neighbouring towns in the Wairarapa, famous for it’s wine production. Perhaps pop in to Poppie’s for a delightful wine tasting!
Next up, drive out to the Putangirua Pinnacles; a stunning yet unusual canyon like landscape surrounded by tall, thin pinnacle rock formations. Walk straight through the Pinnacles or take the walk up to the lookout and view this bizarre but beautiful landscape from above. These impressive weathered pillars of rock were used in the scenes for Dimholt Road where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli search for the Army of the Undead in The Return of the King. Heading over the Remutaka Ranges, you arrive in Wellington in the afternoon.
Today you will be taken on a full day Lord of the Rings tour to see many filming locations in the greater Wellington area! Sites today include Dunharrow, the Outer Shire, parts of the Hutt River used to also portray The River Anduin, the Gardens of Isengard and the glorious Rivendell! You will also see where Helms Deep and Minas Tirith were filmed. Today’s tour also includes a tour through the Weta Cave at Weta Workshop where post production for LOTR and The Hobbit trilogies was completed.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that will be visited today:
Today you will transfer to Wellington Airport. We trust you have had a fantastic time in our beautiful country and wish you safe travels to your next destination.
Detailed Lord of The Rings travel guides & GPS Co-ordinates to take you to the Filming locations
Your choice of accommodations. Silver, gold or platinum/luxury options
A choice of self-drive and privately guided transport
In-depth and detailed custom travel app
Listed activities (these are fully customisable)
Full insurance coverage on rented vehicles and parking
Custom tour creation with one of our travel experts
What’s not included?
Return international flights
Personal travel insurance
Some lunches and dinners
Individual shopping and souvenirs
Extra, optional activities
Why book a privately guided road trip
Bespoke Itineraries
Bespoke Itineraries
Personalised tours tailored to your preferences
Authentic Kiwi Experiences
Authentic Kiwi Experiences
Genuine insights into New Zealand's culture
Flexible Bookings
Flexible Bookings
Secure and adaptable travel arrangements
Private Travel Safety
Private Travel Safety
Safe, crowd-free, intimate exploration
Local Expertise
Local Expertise
In-depth knowledge from a Kiwi-owned business
New Zealand's Top Awarded Tours
New Zealand's Top Awarded Tours
Winner of Tripadvisor’s ‘Travelers choice’ over multiple years & our 100+ 5 star reviews
Come with me to explore the wonderful world of Tolkien's Middle-Earth Explore several major Lord of the Rings filming sites across the North Island, on your own terms. Venture beyond just a visit to Hobbiton and experience lesser known landscapes that brought Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lord of the Rings to life.
Alex
General Manager
Lord of the Rings North Island Tour FAQs:
Will we have the chance to see any new movie productions, like "The Hunt for Gollum"?
Yes, there is a possibility you might run into film crews while they are shooting the new movie "The Hunt for Gollum." Our guides stay updated on the latest filming locations and can often provide insights or even plan routes that increase your chances of witnessing the magic of Middle-earth being brought to life once again.
What if I don’t want to go rafting?
If rafting isn’t your preference, we can customise the tour to include a stay in Tongariro National Park instead. We can also add more sights around Waitomo that are featured in The Hobbit films, ensuring you still have a fantastic and memorable experience.
Do you offer group tours for this itinerary?
Yes, we offer a limited availability group tour based on this itinerary. It’s a fantastic way to explore New Zealand’s hidden gems with like-minded travelers. Please enquire early to secure your spot.
How much does the Lord of the Rings tour cost?
Each package is customised and prices vary based on high and low seasons. To get an accurate quote, please contact us with your preferred dates and any specific requirements. We will provide a price tailored to your needs.
Dear Yamila & The Road Trip Team
Thank you for your making my Sydney-Gold Coast Road Trip a smooth one. I would say there wasn't any hiccup along the trip. Everything well taken care of; from airport transfer to hotel bookings to rental car and some tour bookings. My family really enjoyed the holiday. What I really love was the freedom to drive anywhere with recommendations to go. It was very comprehensive. My kids loved the hotels you booked for us, especially the Anchorage and Pepper Soul! You made our maiden road drive in Australia to a new level. It is definitely an memorable experience. We are already thinking of another road trip in Australia!
Thank you once again!
Flyer786747
Jun 2024
21-Day Australia Trip
21-day Australia trip was fabulous. We didn't want to drive the Australian roads, so The Road Trip organized all of the hotels, transportation and guided tours. The Road Trip team, especially Yamila, had everything planned and they even helped make changes as new opportunities came up. The trip itinerary appealed to everyone as there was the perfect combination of beach, sightseeing, tours, downtime, and outdoor activities. Our favorites included: penguin parade, full-day snorkel tour, night walk tour in the rainforest, and the canyon hike through the Blue Mountain National Park. All six of us agreed that we couldn't have seen or done as much as we did if it wasn't for The Road Trip team. We will be contacting you again for our next trip!
Linda E
Mar 2024
They do all the work, you have all the fun!
I want to thank Road Trip Australia for planning and coordinating such a great itinerary. I wouldn’t have known where to start doing it on my own. They made it easy. The packet they provided was full of good information and allowed me to maximize the time that I had to tour. I definitely recommend them to plan your trip.
Elizabeth B
Nov 2020
21 Day Self Driving/Guided Australian Holiday
The Road Trip put together our recently completed self-driving tour of Australia. They were easy to work with and did an outstanding job of arranging our accommodations and travel in country (both driving and flying). We started in Melbourne with an excellent tour of the central city. We then heading over to the Yarra Valley for two nights. It’s an area known for its vineyards and wine making. Then it was off to the Great Ocean Road for two days of beautiful beaches and great stops recommended by The Road Trip. We spent two days in charming Port Fairy at a great boutique hotel. Then it was back to Melbourne to head to Sydney. Some weather issues prevented us from traveling as planned but we did spend a day and a half in Sydney with the highlight being a climb to the top of the Harbor Bridge. After Sydney we spent two days in the Blue Mountains. Our plans were limited by the recent fires which was disappointing. We spent one day in the Hunter Valley and if you are into wine another day would be appropriate. Then back to Sydney to fly up to the Great Barrier Reef. The rainforests and reef were magical. Wavelength did a great job with the reef snorkeling tour. It was then back to Melbourne for the Australian Open which was a blast. Then finally a trip to Phillip Island to watch the penguins come back to their burrows after a busy day in the sea. Overall a memorable trip and it was logistically very easy with The Road Trip.